Bell's Palsy affects one side of the body, commonly the face. The neurological condition causes a person's face to appear lopsided or droop. The face may appear inflamed, swollen or stiff. A person's jaw may ache and decreases in saliva and tears produced are common. The symptoms of the condition occur within several hours or days, according to MayoClinic.com. A virus causes Bell's palsy; most commonly the herpes simplex virus. Other viruses causing the condition include viruses associated with chicken pox and mononucleosis. A mild case of Bell's palsy commonly disappears in one month, reports MayoClinic.com. More severe cases may cause permanent nerve damage and partial or total blindness.
Medications
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke steroids such as prednisone are effective when treating Bell's palsy. The medications decrease swelling and inflammation around the nerves allowing signals to flow normally. The institute reports that acyclovir, a common herpes simplex medication, may also decrease the severity of Bell's palsy. Patients may decrease pain and discomfort by taking over-the-counter analgesics including acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The Cleveland Clinic recommends medications to start within two to three days of onset.
Eye Protection
Bell's palsy commonly affects the opening and closing of the eye. Under normal conditions, the human eye blinks every five to seven seconds to keep the eyeball lubricated, yet a person with Bell's Palsy may not be able to blink at all or as a result of paralysis, a person may not be able to close his eye. The eye may become irritated and dry leading to further complications. The Cleveland Clinic recommends keeping the eye moist by applying eye drops. During the day a person who is unable to close his eye may wear goggles or glasses to avoid eye injury, suggests MayoClinic.com. A nighttime eye patch may also be worn by the patient to decrease discomfort.
Physical Therapy
MayoClinic.com suggests physical therapy to relax a patient's face. A patient may work with a physical therapist to prevent facial muscles from shrinking and growing shorter, a common complication associated with Bell's palsy. The therapy will improve muscle tone and continue to stimulate the facial nerves.
Surgery
Surgery to relieve Bell's palsy remains a rare treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the effectiveness of surgery is questionable and surgery is a last resort when there is total facial paralysis. The controversial facial surgery involves decompressing the facial nerve by widening the bone around the nerve. Common complications associated with Bell's palsy surgery include hearing loss and permanent damage to the facial nerve, reports the clinic.
